Man Accused of Coercing Wife into Sex with 120 Men Goes on Trial in Sweden

In Sweden, a 61-year-old man is facing charges of compelling his wife to engage in sexual activities with over 120 men. The case centers on allegations that he manipulated the secluded setting of their farmhouse near Kramfors, along with surveillance technology and substances, to pressure her into sexual acts with men he recruited online.

Defense Claims Voluntariness

The defendant maintains that the encounters were consensual, insisting he played no role in forcing his wife into the situations. Instead, he claims he simply arranged the meetings. The trial, which began in Härnösand, a coastal town on Sweden’s eastern shore, on Friday, saw the accused remain motionless as the charges were formally read.

Victim’s Identity Protected

Following the initial phase, the court shifted to a closed session to shield the identity of the unidentified victim. She has since divorced her husband, though details about his age are the only public information available about him. The prosecution argues the abuse persisted until she filed a police report in October 2025.

Comparison to Noted Cases

The proceedings have sparked global interest, drawing parallels with the case of Dominique Pelicot, a Frenchman convicted of enabling multiple men to sexually assault his wife over a nine-year period. Prosecutors aim to illustrate how the accused used drugs to push her limits, while the remote location and her restricted social network helped maintain control.

Key Evidence and Charges

This year, the man was indicted on multiple counts, including rape, attempted sexual assault, and physical aggression. Evidence includes online communications, financial transactions, and calendar entries. Surveillance footage from their home, which captured some of the interactions, is expected to be central to the prosecution’s case. The footage will be presented in court to support the claims.

“He exploited her particularly vulnerable situation and used her fear of him to normalise his coercive behaviour.”

“The prosecutor presents a different picture, but my client does not see it that way.”

Alleged Threats and Unidentified Perpetrators

Public broadcaster SVT reports that the indictment includes claims of threats to harm his wife, such as pouring petrol on her and cutting off her fingers. While 120 men have been linked to the case, only 28 have been formally charged. Most of these individuals deny the accusations, stating they either had no sexual contact with the woman or did not pay for the encounters.

The trial is expected to span 14 days, with key pieces of evidence like digital records and video footage being unveiled to establish the sequence of events. As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on whether the accused’s actions constituted coercion or consent.